Minister of Health and Medical Services honorable Paulson Popora Bosawai delivering his brief remarks after the signing of the construction agreement last week in Tokyo, Japan
PEOPLE of Malaita Province will soon enjoy better health services thanks to the infrastructure improvement project to commence at Kilu’ufi hospital.
The improvement project will commence later this year, the work will start after the signing of construction agreement between minister of Health and Medical Services, honorable Paul Popora Bosawai and a Kitano Construction representative in Tokyo, Japan, last week.
The Kilu’ufi improvement project becomes a big tick in the box for the government as the project is featured prominently in the government’s 100 days program.
The Minister of Health and Medical Services is particularly passionate about this project, he genuinely wants to see Kilu’ufi hospital is improved and he was in Tokyo about a month ago purposely to pursue the project.
It comes as a huge relief, when the Japanese government through Prime Minister Ishida Kumio indicated earlier in the week (last week) that the signing of the project will eventually take place.
In the presence of the Prime Minister honorable Jeremiah Manele MP, and Kitano Construction president and honorary consul of Solomon Islands, Takahiro Kitano on Friday last week- minister Bosawai signed the construction agreement with a Kitano Construction Company Executive.
In a brief address after the signing of the construction agreement, a jubilant Bosawai stated that the signing marks a new chapter in the upgrading of health infrastructure in Malaita Province.
In describing the signing ceremony, minister Bosawai said it “…signifies progress, resilience and a steadfast commitment to the health and wellbeing…” of the people of Solomon Islands and in particular the good people of Malaita Province.
Briefly reflecting on the challenging health infrastructures, the Minister of Health and Medical Services stated that the dire state of the health infrastructures in the country has been an issue for a long time, this affects the ability of health services to combat rising health needs, new and reemerging diseases coupled with the health impacts of the climate change and its variables.
“We are all committing not just to the bricks and mortars once the construction commences but to a vision of a health care that is resilient, adaptable, and compassionate in Solomon Islands”, the minister underscored.
The Health minister acknowledged the government and people of Japan for their unwavering support and assistances to the people of Solomon Islands in the area of infrastructure development, adding that this strengthens the already fruitful bilateral relationship enjoyed between the two countries.
Minister Paulson Popora Bosawai extended his gratitude to the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for continuing to provide overall guidance from the starting of the process to the signing of the construction document, in the same vein the minister further acknowledged Fukunaga Architects and Engineers Company and its partners for the design work.
The Health Minister paid tribute to the Kitano Construction Company for always delivering world class projects in Solomon Islands, and the minister pointed out the Gizo hospital as an example. Adding that the company will no doubt provide a similar output to the Kilu’ufi improvement project.
Minister Bosawai made an assurance that his ministry will continue to provide support from the project’s initiation to its completion.
With the minister’s consent, it is noted that while pursuing the Kilu’ufi improvement project in Tokyo, Japan the minister has lost his younger brother at home (Solomon Islands). In the face of personal turmoil and sadness, the minister remained adamant to seeing off the signing ceremony of this important project.
Source: PMO
